Tips for teens: Landing that green collar job

How to turn your passion for green into your career.

If you're a teen interested in going green, you'll be happy to know that your passion may make a great career. Green collar jobs are booming (unlike other jobs in today's economy!) And landing a green job can help you feed your soul and your wallet.

The best part about greening your career is that eco-savvy jobs are popping up in almost every sector and at every income level. These jobs require a wide range of skills, education and experience. So whether you want to be a lawyer, an engineer or a graphic designer, there may be a green job out there for you. Here’s how to get it.

Know your stuff: Pick up a book, surf the web, or talk with local experts to learn what you can about environmental issues, how they are connected and how different jobs can help.

Find Your niche: What are your passions, talents, interests and experiences? Before you start your search for a green job, try to think about exactly what it is you enjoy doing, and how you can utilize these skills to save the planet.

Ask questions: If you know what type of green job you’re interested in, do a little digging to find out what you need to do to get it. Call or email folks that are currently working in those jobs and ask if they can spare a few minutes with you to answer questions about the job market.

Volunteer: Volunteer experience counts as work experience on your resume and in job interviews, especially in the green industry. And you can start volunteering at any age. So find an issue you're passionate about and hook up with a local organization that’s working on it. If one doesn’t already exist, maybe you need to start it.

Network: Get to know people that work in your field of interest. Read and comment on eco-savvy blogs, attend green events in your area, and shake hands at professional meetings.